In my opinion, Andrew Zimmern is another American tourist. He's like Homer Simpson, only thing he'll eat is fried, burned, or bar- be-que just like blend American food. I never seen him eat something that is really authentic in any country. He showed the local market and all the foods stalls, and doesn't even eat any of the food there. Only time he even touch it to his tongue if it's cooked like American food and has meat on it.And how is Kobe beef or Bird's Nest soup bizarre? Kobe beef is the best beef in the world could be eaten by even 2 yr. old and Bird's Nest Soup is a very very expensive delicacy in Asia. Only the most wealthy and rich people can eat them. He might have eaten some foods not known to Americans, but it doesn't mean it's nasty or exotic in their country. He doesn't have any manners when eating the food, not about his bad eating manners, but respecting the local traditions and aspects of the country he is in, unlike Anthony Bourdain.
Please Andrew, get with the real world and go just eat food in America where you belong. Please Travel Channel, transfer to America or cancel this awful show. I know a lot of ethnic groups in America will agree with me.

Leave the guy alone. He's just doing his job, entertaining us poor US slobs.

How many times have you seen the show, is my first question. I watched an episode last night when he ate live grubs, fished for his own pihranna, and ate ants. That sounds pretty bizzare to me. I agree about some of his episodes not seeming that great, but what can you do? I also agree that he doesn't have that grerat manners, too. In the... either Chile or Equador episode, he was lying back on the kitchen floor while the others made him food. He was also just sitting back and watching the men chop the tree down to find him a native delicacy: Lemon Ants. The only manners he had in that episode were when he said he "really appreciates the (chileans, or equadorians) allowing him into their home. I don't know, all in all, I still think its a great show.

It makes me hungry though...

In America will be called "Bizarre Cardboard Food". Trying deconstructing a cardboard burger, a inner organ hotdog (including skin, beak and bones), or many of the "typical" and well form food MSG's food we eat. So please, consider that most of our American diet is based in appearance not in nutritious content (not mentioning advertising) and when you see Andrew eat a bug, rare fruit or vegetable, it is what it is REAL and truthful for a specific culture.

You know what? I am an American that does not get to go traveling all of the time, and enjoy the fact that I can see where Andrew goes. It's very informative, and fun to learn of cultures in food. If not for this show, I would not have considered many of the things being eaten as a main source for some people, or how culture affects that resource so much.

If I ever get to go traveling, I at least have more of an in-site to new and amazing places, and foods. So, thanks Bizarre Foods, and Andrew for showing me new worlds!

The concept of the show is great, but Andrew overly exaggerates how bad the food tastes. He misrepresents the food and more importantly, the culture. Perhaps he's playing it up for the cameras and ratings, but that's disingenuine. Travel Channel should focus more on accuracy then playing it up for just the ratings. Andrew should win an oscar for his contorted face when he tries something. Like ekap said, perhaps he's just another typical American tourist. But do we really need to see a typical American tourist make a fool of themselves and insult the people of other cultures? Or should travel channel find some other, more open minded americans......because there are many.

quote:

Originally posted by jake30060:
The concept of the show is great, but Andrew overly exaggerates how bad the food tastes. He misrepresents the food and more importantly, the culture. Perhaps he's playing it up for the cameras and ratings, but that's disingenuine. Travel Channel should focus more on accuracy then playing it up for just the ratings. Andrew should win an oscar for his contorted face when he tries something. Like ekap said, perhaps he's just another typical American tourist. But do we really need to see a typical American tourist make a fool of themselves and insult the people of other cultures? Or should travel channel find some other, more open minded americans......because there are many.

a couple of things...

1. Rarely do i remember him ever talking about how bad something tastes, rather about how good it is, much less him making faces? the only time i can remember this happening was when he attempted to eat Durian, which even my well developed sense of taste has a hard time with.

2. Remember that this is a show made for American audiences on an American network. Things like Birds Nest Soup are quite exotic to Americans and I think he presents it as such, rather than just weird, because he is presenting it TO AMERICANS!!!

3. Ekap is obviously quite ignorant about American cuisine and the comment about American food being bland is patently ridiculous. The United States has a rich, varied and innovative culinary history. If Ekap would like some recommendations or recipes, I would be glad to oblige. (HAHA, Cajun and Southwestern cuisine bland! LOLOLOLOL)


Regardless, I have always found Andrew to be quite respectful to and enthusiastic about every place he has visited.


Good day.

His lack of respect for local cultures is sad and it is shameful that the travel channel would condone this. His a bad ambassador for the States.

Hey Jake, how does Andrew exactly, 'misrepresent' the culture? If you are going to accuse him of that, could you at least provide a few examples of how he does this?

This is just a show about an individual traveling the world & eating bizarre foods. Nothing more, nothing less.

Let it be known, I've watched nearly every episode of Bizarre Foods. My television rarely strays from the The Travel Channel whether I'm in a hotel or at home (I travel often). I am no expert, but I would have to agree with some of the others who say Zimmern tends to favor American-style preparation of foods. But, that being said, he is American and those are preparations his palate are accustomed to. He does try other styles and ingredients only to occasionally scowl and sometimes describes them as gelatinous, spoiled or play-doh like - styles he often states HE dislikes but has, more than once, said "if that's your thing then go for it" or "that is a flavor/texture that would freak a lot of people out". I also agree that he can be ignorant to some cultures (as everyone undoubtedly is) but, he seems as polite and knowledgeable (perhaps a bit more knowledgeable than many of us) as any person where the major premise is to exhibit his opinion on foods a typical person may encounter in an unfamiliar territory. Zimmern is not there to fully immerse himself into every aspect of a culture (like Bourdain) or frolic amongst different beaches or typical tourist spots (like Marquardt or Brown). He is there to give his opinion on foods one may see, mainly relying on the hospitality or guidance of others, albeit the sometimes superficial nature he in collaboration with The Travel Channel may project to gain ratings. Basically, if it is not your type of program, simply change the channel.

Andrew is not just another American tourist. In one episode he went to Tanzania and drank cow and sheep blood, sour milk, etc. In Australia, he had crocodlie eggs and waliby. In South America, he ate cheese with maggots in them...That is pretty bizzare to me. All the whlie he was respectful and affirming of the culture. In fact, Andrew has the amazing ability to affirm and respect the local culture where ever he goes, even if his taste buds do not agree with the dish. He shows authenticity and class whereever he goes. This is a GREAT show. Keep it up Andrew!

i applaud his efforts even if they are 'flawed' in some peoples' eyes BUT i can't hate on his choices of picking out food stalls whose food is fried, grilled. id like to know how many times the guy's gotten dysentery?! so would you complain if he went to mexico and chose to drink only bottled water even though there were locals drinking from the well? they could do a bizarre foods: bio episode with a host visiting random countries with a chemistry kit just comparing the local well water in various location. im not in search of the BEST TV SHOW IN THE WORLD either but id give the show an 'A'

haha! he's not supposed to be an ambassador of anything! he wasnt voted into the show but he has been accepted by viewer ratings which is, i think, what pays the bills but youre free to 'veto' his appointment by that fat digit toward the inside of your hand and firmly pressing on of those raised rubber buttons on your remote. or write your senator who will definately side with you and ask a corporation to saccrifice earnings because a reality tv show isnt being real.

I agree with cabotom82 he's not an ambassador, he ultimately NEVER complains (on camera anyway :-)
I've only seen him complain about the durian fruit and a couple other things (like the rotten mystery meat and egg combination) I love his show and i think it takes a lot of GUTS(literally) to eat the food he does, not just that he goes to places that some of us will never see. He goes there for the culture and learn how people survive.

look, unless you have been there and done it.. and talked with people.. i dont see anyone really having anything to say about anyone being disrespectful..